You’ve got to have a sense of humor to give a BBQ joint in Dogtown the name Hogtown Smokehouse. But I like a bit of humor in restaurant names and owner Rico Lange definitely gives his patrons a smile to go with their brisket.
I fell in love with Dogtown years ago when Robin bought her first house in St. Louis in the quaint, Irish settlement near Forest Park. Residents have earned a reputation over the years for holding their St. Patrick’s parade on the exact day of the event, come what may.
Orders are placed at the bar. Diners take a table marker and find a seat either inside or on the shady, spacious patio. Leashed pets are welcome.
A menu of goodness.
Double-rubbed meats are smoked slowly with cherry wood. Choose from pork, honey-glazed turkey, corned beef, brisket, sausage, ribs, chicken or cider-brined pork steak.
Owner Rico Lange has lived in the Dogtown neighborhood all his life. He grew up just a few blocks from the restaurant’s location.
The Dogtown area was once a mining community in the mid-1880s with a number of small clay and coal mines. The term “Dogtown” was widely used at that time by miners to describe the sprawl of shelters around the mines.
Hogtown Smokehouse: 6301 Clayton Avenue in Dogtown (corner of Clayton and Graham); Open: Thu 11a-8p; Fri 11a-9p; Sat noon 9p; Sun noon-8p. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed.
